I’ve observed that in God’s house there are both garbage cans and golden cups – some folks fill their lives with slop and slime while other’s lives pour out blessing and treasure to everyone who knows them. Why the difference – why do some folks come to know the Lord and their lives change very little while others become sweet gifts to humanity? Does God bless some more than others? Does He reveal Himself more to some than others? Are the golden cups just “teacher’s pets” that get special favor from God while others struggle just to make it as His followers?

This passage helped me see what makes the difference.

…”Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:19-21)

“Those who cleanse themselves from the” wickedness mentioned in the previous passage “will be instruments for special purposes.” It is not God who determines if our life is full of slop or treasure. We make that decision. Our salvation is not based upon our efforts and righteous acts but how we are used, the outcome of our life, obviously is based upon whether we “cleanse ourselves” or continue to fill our eyes, hearts and minds with the sludge of this world.

Those who choose to feed at the slop bucket of this world will themselves become slop buckets (articles for common use) but those who cleanse themselves “will be instruments for special purposes”.  Both will be used by God but I have to decide how I want God to use me, for special purposes or does he need to keep me hidden in the utility room because of the vileness I fill myself with?  The choice is mine.  The choice is yours.
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2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.